European hotel baths always look so elegant, don’t they? And spas not only look beautiful, but they have all the grooming aids, lotions and scents close at hand. If you’re hoping for the same appeal in your own home, we have some easy-to-follow tips to help you get your bathroom organized and allow it to shine.
Here are 7 Gorgeous Ways to Declutter:
1.First, take stock: Eliminate everything that is not essential to your health, happiness and well being. But don’t skimp on the necessary items. It’s always better to have extra supplies than to run out of shampoo when you most need it.
2.Corral like items: Baskets are great. But so are small boxes, wall-hung cabinets, little chests, mirrored shelves, stacking cubes and tall armoires if you have room. Drawer space is generally limited, so thinking “outside the box” is often required.
3.Gather up pretty containers: Old silver, glass canisters with either glass or cork stoppers, funky candleholders, mismatched candy dishes — they can hold an assortment of bathroom necessities as well as some fun niceties. It’s convenient and pretty to have bath salts, cotton balls, Q-tips and even makeup brushes out in the open. Antique wine glasses are great for holding emery boards an nail clippers; let polishes brighten a mirrored tray. Old pewter or silver mugs make great toothbrush and toothpaste holders.
4.Make sense of it all: Store cleaning supplies in one place; clean towels in another. Stock extra toilet paper, tissue, soap, shampoo and razors so they’re easy to find and access. Use a kitchen silverware divider in a bathroom drawer to organize and separate grooming supplies and makeup tools. Keep extra light bulbs on hand.
5.Delight the senses: Hang art on the walls or a mobile from the ceiling. Add some color and some personality so that your bathroom has no resemblance to a gas station rest room. If you have a tub-shower that requires a curtain, hang a pretty fabric curtain that complements your decor and use an inner waterproof or plastic liner.
6.Calm down, freshen up: Don’t overdo the scent, but a whiff of lavender or a hint of vanilla can do wonders for your mood as well as your bath appeal. If it smells as good as it looks, your grooming routine will be a pleasant one. Plants are another way to bring a fresh feeling into your bath. A pot of pothos will help air quality and flowering plants are cheery. Even exotic orchids thrive in the moist environment, although a sunny window is an advantage.
7.Create softness: You want to create a room in your home, not recreate the look of a laboratory or clinical setting. Add a soft rug for the floor, hang fluffy towels, place soft bathrobes on hooks and put a scented candle on the counter of a guest bath. If you have the vanity space, add a small lamp with a pretty shade, or install a decorative night light so that “bright lights” aren’t always needed.
Make it Personal
Decluttering and personalizing are not mutually exclusive concepts. Whether your bath is small or large, you can fill it with character and personality and still achieve function and efficiency. Every bathroom has basic components: A toilet and a vanity sink. Many baths have a tub-shower combination; others have one or the other and some have both. Storage is a necessity. If it’s minimal, be creative to meet your needs. Built-in storage is nice, but look to vertical options or wall-hung shelves and cabinets if you must. Utilize a nearby hall closet or a cabinet or closet in an adjacent bedroom if you have to.
Truly elaborate bathrooms with dual sinks, large shower enclosures, steam units or saunas come with their own decor dilemmas. If your space is large enough to accommodate the team, try to zone it off. Create a pampering area with a terry-covered bench, or make room for a stationary bike or a yoga mat. Consider an “island” to hold grooming supplies, extra towels, hand mirrors and spa indulgences. Add a full length wall mirror or a tall cabinet to hold a TV or audio equipment.
If your bathroom serves guests as well as family, be respectful of their needs as well. Make sure that extra tissues and toilet paper are visible so guests won’t have to “snoop.” Provide a basket or rack for guest towels, and stock an emergency box with extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, shampoo, lotion, mouthwash, band-aids and a small sewing kit. It’s these little touches that guests will really appreciate. Your family will as well!
Finally, the bathroom is one of the hardest-working areas of your home. It can be as pretty as a picture, but if it doesn’t work properly, it can be your biggest headache. Always attend to problems immediately. Investigate drips, keep a plunger handy, and make sure sinks, tubs and shower drains work well. Also check the bathroom plugs occasionally just to make sure an electrical breaker hasn’t popped.
2 Point Highlight
Gather up pretty containers: Old silver, glass canisters with either glass or cork stoppers, funky candleholders, mismatched candy dishes — they can hold an assortment of bathroom necessities as well as some fun niceties.
Calm down, freshen up: Don’t overdo the scent, but a whiff of lavender or a hint of vanilla can do wonders for your mood as well as your bath appeal.
